Do you think dogs should be allowed in any store the owner wants to take them?

Yes

No

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Senior Flea Coller Tester

I love taking Kiefer to the pet food store, it's great to run an errand like that and be able to take him with me. It's a great way to continue the socialization that is so important to a well-rounded dog, and I love to see other people's dogs at the pet food store. But I also know that everyone that goes into a pet food store is there for something for an animal of some sort, and they know that dogs will be there, and they know what to expect. No one is going to go there that is allergic to dogs or afraid of them.

But I do not think that a dog belongs in a department store or some place like Target, and I absolutely think they should not be allowed in a grocery store.

When I left the grocery store today I saw a woman walking in with her two young daughters and a teeny little dog on a leash. She walked right in like it was totally normal and everyone did it.

I was in my car, so I pulled over into a parking spot (still in the parking lot) and called the store (Been going there for 20 years, so I know the number!) and let them know.

It's just wrong to take a dog into a grocery store. What the heck are people thinking?

If you take me serious, it's your problem

unfortunately, the "service animal" laws trump other laws. What's more, a business owner cannot refuse them service under penalty of law. Another more insane thing is... you may not question a person as to what service their animal is providing under the law. People have begin to notice this law and are abusing it's intended purpose. The "service animal" law initially was intended to grant those with handicaps such as blindness, a means to do comerce without having to prove their handicap, or be hassled about their service animals. Unfortunately, as the law is written anyone can take their animal anywhere, without question, or reprisal.

Florida's "service animal" laws are a little stricter in what you can ask the person. Here we cannot even ask about their animals training or what service it provides. In one job i worked, we were instructed that we cannot approach a person with a "service animal", or even if it is clearly a pet, we are to allow people with animals into our retail unit as any other shopper. we cannot question in any way. We were also told to "watch" these people and to clean up any waste these animals may leave behind. If an animal came in contact with any product we were to remove said product from sale. this included even the event a dog happened to simply sniff a product, it had to be removed from sale and destroyed or returned to the vendor.

My personal opinion is that we should be allowed to question the obscure handicaps and be shown proof of animals training certification. I have nothing against a blind person shopping with their animal, as it clearly serves a purpose. Even those who are deaf and have a dog for alerting their owner is acceptable. Because lets face it, the number of these animals are less than 1% of the population, AND they serve a genuine function for their owners. These people who abuse the law should be subject to penalty for their stupidity.

Community Manager

WELL, now that you mention it, most states have laws that prevent "pet" animals from certain locations, especially food businesses, most clearly (especially food stores) post signs at their entrance, only service animals allowed (services animals must be clearly marked with a service animal cape, or will be wearing a service harness as in blind service) but my idea of a service animal is not a chawawa riding around in the kiddie seat of a shopping cart. The fault here lies in the management of the store involved, or upper management not supporting or enforcing their management to abide by local health laws. I have no problem with a legitimate service animal doing their job, this animal has been trained on all aspects of social interaction its the "pocket dogs" that people thing are above health laws the irritate me, actually it isn't the animal it is the owner of the animal that is irritating, no concern or consideration.

Trivia Specialist

Does the law make an exception for service animals?? I expect it does....why? If an animal is a danger to the food it should not be allowed in the grocery store ... period!! People who are allergic would be just as allergic to a service dog. My son is deathly allergic to some animals.

Don't get me wrong...I am not for allowing dogs, cats or any other animals in grocery stores or restaurants..and yes, I have seen that...it was a very upscale restaurant on Maui. The dog, a King Charles Spaniel and cute as a button, lay in his owner's lap the whole time we were there. He bothered no one.

I am quite sure there are exceptions to all the rules. There is a dog (belongs to the owner) at my scrapbook store...and there are 2 clients who consistently bring their dogs with them when they scrap. I'm sure there are people who don't like that either..but then there is no food there...unless we bring in our lunch !

I still say I'd rather see a dog or two in some of these places rather than some of the people I see....adults coughing and sneezing all over the produce, children teething on the handles of the shopping carts (what are their parents thinking?), children with mucus hanging from their nostrils, girls ...or worse, old women....with bare bellies (and more), men (and women) reeking of perfume or cigarette smoke, bare hands in the bulk food bins (and the bakery bins), babies with poopy diapers in the seat of the shopping carts, bare feet...and it goes on and on! Recently, in the city of Calgary, there has been a rash of incidents where people have been putting things like push pins into the groceries. It is scary! I think a dog or two would be much less of a threat!

Senior Flea Coller Tester

In CA we cannot ask a person to prove that their animal is a service animal either. Granted, some animals you would not think would be service animals are, such as little dogs that can foretell seizures, or even sniff out when their owners have dangerously low blood sugars. Under CA law I believe they have to carry their documentation with them, we just can not ask to see it. Crazy.

Well-Known Member

I actually just took a continuing ed course on service animals. It was pretty interesting. Be glad you don't see someone coming in with a pot bellied pig or a minature pony. Both can be trained to be service animals.

Forever Remembered

In CA we cannot ask a person to prove that their animal is a service animal either. Granted, some animals you would not think would be service animals are, such as little dogs that can foretell seizures, or even sniff out when their owners have dangerously low blood sugars. Under CA law I believe they have to carry their documentation with them, we just can not ask to see it. Crazy.

Service animals are supposed to wear an identifying coat or blanket when they're on duty. Do you mean to say, that according to CA law, you cannot ask for identification if the dog doesn't have that identifier??

Anyone who knows me well knows that Pucci and I are inseparable - BUT, I certainly respect not bringing Pucci into any establishment (supermarket or restaurant) where there's food. Pucci is immaculately clean, being bathed and groomed weekly, and Poodles are a non-allergenic breed, but I also respect that some people are allergic (or are afraid they're allergic) to dogs, including Poodles, and I honor requests not to bring him to certain places so as not to inconvenience others. However, I do turn down invitations to places that don't exclude pets if I can't bring Pucci.:whistle:

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Service animals are supposed to wear an identifying coat or blanket when they're on duty. Do you mean to say, that according to CA law, you cannot ask for identification if the dog doesn't have that identifier??

Anyone who knows me well knows that Pucci and I are inseparable - BUT, I certainly respect not bringing Pucci into any establishment (supermarket or restaurant) where there's food. Pucci is immaculately clean, being bathed and groomed weekly, and Poodles are a non-allergenic breed, but I also respect that some people are allergic (or are afraid they're allergic) to dogs, including Poodles, and I honor requests not to bring him to certain places so as not to inconvenience others. However, I do turn down invitations to places that don't exclude pets if I can't bring Pucci.:whistle:

Well-Known Member

Senior Flea Coller Tester

A dog that would announce a coming seizure or something like that wouldn't have to wear a ID coat or blanket, I dont' think. And a well trained service animal for say a blind person would not go wandering to sniff or lick food or produce. They know to stay on track and in the proper position until off leash and released from duty.

My bday is coming up, and I told DH I wanted to go away for a weekend somewhere. I'm trying to think where I want to go, and I'm leaning toward a trip up the northern CA coast to a motel or inn that is dog friendly and take Kiefer. I would love to sit on the beach with him (them!) and just relax and be with my two sweeties! I love dog friendly places!

Awaiting results of mental evaluation

I also have a problem with parents allowing their little ones to sit in the cart baskets. Not in the seat at the handle, but in the main basket itself. have, more than once seen a grubbly little urchin and her equally dirty child roaming through the store. The child is sitting in the basket, diaper is leaking and mom blithlely continues putin food in there with it.

They check out and here comes Clara Clean who gets the E-Coli laden basket for her family!

We have one market here which has a cart sanitizer by the door. Select a cart. Push it in, Use the hand sanitizer while the cart is being cleaned. Then you get the clean cart at the other side....

Trivia Specialist

HAL allows dogs and cats on their ships...is that dogs and cats that are not service animals???

I voted on the poll...one person so far has voted yes...just for the record it was not me :sunny::sunny:

Just a note...as to animals in hotels! We once stayed at a motel where animals were heartily welcomed. They said that the animals did not steal the towels, burn holes in the bedding or operate the tv at full volume! That was quite a long time ago. We always stay in hotels that welcome our little dogs (generally for a small fee). We find that the "better" hotels are more inclined to welcome Sergeant and Sky than the budget properties....At many of the Fairmont hotels they have a dog in residence that you can take for a walk if you are missing your very own walking buddy because s/he was too busy to come with you! :clap: